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Ulawun (also locally known as the "father" //commemt: Bamus being the "son") is a symmetrical large stratovolcano on New Britain Island. It rises majestically above the north coast of New Britain across a low saddle NE of Bamus volcano, the South Son.
Ulawun is one Papua New Guinea's most active and most dangerous volcanoes. Rising to 2334 m, it is also the highest of the 1000 km long chain of the Bismarck volcanic arc which stretches from Rabaul volcano in the East to Wewak in the west and contains no less than 21 active volcanoes.

Eruptions from UlawunHistorical records from Ulawun reach relatively far back. The historic account of an eruption of Ulawun volcano was by the English discoverer William Dampier (1651-1715) in 1700. However, lack of activity or further reports by explorers led to a large gap of informatio until, 178 years later, the Australian businessman Wilfred Powell reported activity in 1878.
The largest eruptions in historic times were in 1915, 1970, and 1980. The eruption in 1915 deposited 10 cm of ash in Toriu, 50 km northeast of the volcano. The eruption of 1970 produced nuees ardentes (pyroclastic flows) and lava flows.
A major eruption in 1980 produced an eruption column rising to 60,000 ft (ca. 20 km) and produced pyroclastic flows which swept all flanks of the volcano and devastated an area of 20 square km.
The last larger eruptions devastated the flanks of Ulawun, produced large andesitic lava flows and greatly modified the summit crater.
Typical smaller eruptions from Ulawun range from strombolian-type explosions to lava dome growth with associated small ash explosions and small nuées ardentes.

Background:

Ulawun volcano is basaltic-to-andesitic Ulawun in composition and composed of lava flows interbedded with tephra layers.

MorphologyThe upper 1000 m of Ulawun volcano are unvegetated. A prominent E-W-trending escarpment on the south may be the result of large-scale slumping. Satellitic cones occupy the NW and eastern flanks. A steep-walled valley cuts the NW side of Ulawun volcano, and a flank lava-flow complex lies to the south of this valley.

Hazards from Ulawun volcanoSlope failure: Ulawun volcano, along with its neighbor Bamus, is 400 m higher than most of the volcanoes in the Bismarck. This could indicate that the edifice is at the limit of structural stability. Consequently, massive slope failure is a major hazard at Ulawun volcano, which could threaten hundreds of square km of surrounding land.
Pyroclastic flows: lava dome growth and large explosive eruptions often produced devastating pyroclastic flows at Ulawun, reaching many km from the summit of the volcano causing substantial damage.
Ash fall: the larger eruptions from Ulawun can cause significant ash fall in surrounding areas as well threaten air traffic routes.

2005 eruptionsFrequent ash and steam plumes produced by small eruptions were reported during March-August 2005.

2001-2003 eruptionsIntermittent ash eruptions produced small ash plumes reaching up to 3-4 km altitude durinng most of 2001-2003.

2001 large eruptionAn aircraft reported a large ash plume reaching 9 km, indicating a larger explosion had happened. Satellite measurements revealed that the eruption had stopped by 30 April. The ash plume may have reached a maximum of 40,000 ft (ca. 14 km).

September 2000 eruptionOne of the largest historical eruptions occurred between 28 September - 2 October 2000.
After a rappid build-up in seismic activity, a small eruption started on 28 Sep, increasing to strombolian activity at 01h20 on 29 Sep. Later that day, the eruption escalated into a vulcanian or sub-Plinian type explosion, producing an ash column reaching 12-15 km height.
The peak phase of the eruption lasted less than 1 day and by 30 Sep, the eruption had already waned almost completely. It produced 3 pyroclastic flows, which traveled down pre-existing gullies on the N, NW, and SE flanks, along the same paths as flows during previous eruptions. The N-directed pyroclastic flow was the biggest and descended to 580 m elevation. There were no lava flows.
The eruption caused the evacuation of nearby towns, caused significant damage, but there were no fatalities.
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Source:
Smithsonian / GVP monthly reports

1999 eruptionsThe first week explosions after 6.5 years of quiet were seen in mid October 1999.

1994 activity - weak glowStrong vapor emissions and a steady weak red glow from the summit were observed in June 1994.

1992-4 weak activityMost of 1992-1994 was characterized by infrequent small explosions. A faint glow was often visible at the summit lava dome.
A dense eruption column of dark ash was erupted 1,000 m above summit on 12 January.

1989-1992 activity: weak-moderate vapor emission

1989 Jan eruptionsA moderate eruption in early January 1989 ejects ash to 2 km. In the next months, occasional smaller eruptions occur, and the volcano enters a calm phase.

1985 November strombolian eruption & lava flowA brief, spectacular Strombolian eruption took place 17-22 November, developing rapidly after about five days of precursory seismicity.
The height of the strombolian ejections reached 200 m above the crater and a lava flow started to descend the N slope in the early evening of the 18 Nov. This flow originated from a fissure about 70 m below the summit crater and reached the lower slopes at 5.5 km distance, where its advance was coming to a halt.
Spectacular lava fountains were observed during the niight of the 18th Nov.
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Source: GVP monthly reports

1984 strombolian eruptionA low-intensity Strombolian eruption occurred between late December 1984 and terminated on or around 27 January 1985.

1983 eruptionsMild explosive activity dominated 1983.

1983 large eruptionA short, but major eruption occurred at Ulawun between 6 and 7 October 1983. It ejected ash to 60,000 ft and produced pyroclastic flows which swept all flanks of the volcano and devastated an area of 20 sq km. ...more

May 1978: major eruptionA large eruption occurred between 9-14 May. It produced lava flow, ash fall and nuée ardente. It was a flank eruption which may have contributed to structural instability.

1973 effusive eruption An eruption during 4-19 October produced lava flows and ejecta from five vents.

1970 major eruptionA large explosive and effusive eruption produced pyroclastic flows and lava flows. The eruption devastated the NW flank of Ulawun and reshaped the summit crater. ...more

1700 eruptionThe first historic eruption of Ulawun was recorded by the British explorer William Dampier during his second circumnavigation 1699-1701, published in his book "A Voyage to New Holland" (1703 / 1909)

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